Tool holder with markings

ABSTRACT

A knife holder for storing a variety of different types of knives. The knife holder includes a body portion including a plurality of slots formed therein for receiving a blade portion of a knife. The knife holder further includes an external marking adjacent to the plurality of slots to identify the type of knife or implement each of the plurality of slots will store.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority from and incorporates byreference the entire disclosure of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 60/554,500, which was filed on Mar. 19, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to kitchen tool holders andmore specifically to tool holders used for storing a plurality ofordinary knives, forks, shears, sharpeners and other utensils used inpreparing food. In particular, the present invention relates to a knifeholder having a plurality of openings or slots with markings on theholder near the slots to identify a particular kind of knife which is tobe stored in each slot.

2. Description of Related Art

Knife blocks or holders are well known in the art and are primarilydesigned to provide a plurality of slots or openings formed in asuitable support block. Each slot is adapted to removably receive andretain a knife blade. The slots are formed within a support body so asto receive the knife blade in a generally downward extending position,with an edge of each knife handle resting upon a support.

In another approach, a magnetic knife holder is utilized as a means forholding knives. The magnetic knife holder generally comprises a barmagnet to retain a plurality of knife blades in a vertical plane, withthe blade positioned in an upwardly or downwardly-extending orientation.Generally, a support (bolster) is provided beneath the handle portion ofthe knives to prevent the knives from sliding downwards off the magneticbar. Since, the knife blades are not covered, a user's hand issusceptible to come in contact with the knife blade unless extra cautionis exercised by the user while using magnetic knife holders. Hence, themagnetic knife holders do not provide a safe and convenient means forhandling knives.

Additionally, when knives are stored in a slotted knife holder, theblade of the knife is not exposed. This does not enable the user toreadily determine the type of knife which is stored in each slot orreadily return the knives to their proper storage location. Often, theuser will grasp and remove one knife only to realize that the wrongknife was selected. In most cases, different types of knives haveidentical handles and a constant removal of the knife from the knifeholder for inspection purposes creates unnecessary wear and tear on theknife blade and increased user frustration.

None of the prevalent prior art solutions provide a safe and effectivemeans for identifying a desired choice of knife without the actualremoval of the knife from the knife holder.

Therefore, there is a need for a knife holder that provides an easy andefficient mechanism for identifying the type of knife being stored ineach slot of the knife holder.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A knife holder for storing a plurality of knives includes a body portionhaving a plurality of slots for receiving a blade portion of a knife.The knife holder further includes an external marking defined on asurface of the body adjacent to each of the plurality of slots. Themarking indicates a type of knife which is held in the associated slot.

In another embodiment of the present invention a tool holder includes abody portion having a plurality of openings for receiving a working endof the tool. The tool holder further includes an external marking on asurface of the body adjacent to each of the plurality of openings forindicating a type of tool which is held in the associated slot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the knife holder of the presentinvention may be acquired by reference to the following DetailedDescription when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the knife holder in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the knife holder of FIG. 1 inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top front view of the knife holder of FIG. 1 in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the knife holder according toan alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the knife holder according toanother alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the knife holder according toyet another alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the knife holder according toanother alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic view of the knife holder according to yetanother alternate embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of the knife holder according toan alternate embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1-3thereof, a novel knife holder embodying the principles and concepts ofthe present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral10 will be described. While the embodiments described herein areintended as an exemplary holder for storing knives (and related toolssuch as sharpeners and shears), it will be appreciated by those skilledin the art that the present invention is not limited for storing knives,and may be employed for storing other utensils used in preparing food.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, a first embodiment of the knife holder 10 ofthe present invention will be described in detail.

The knife holder 10 of the present invention can provide a storage meansfor a variety of different types of knives (and perhaps other utensilsor tools). While the present invention is particularly suitable forstoring knives, the scope of this invention extends to any knife whichincludes a blade and any other utensils used in the preparation of foodwhere the working end of the tool is hidden from view when stored.

The knife holder 10 includes a body member 12 which is substantiallyrectangular in shape and which progressively inclines from a surfacefrom which it rests. The rectangular configuration of the knife holder10 is abruptly terminated along its lower surface, the proximity ofwhich is designated at 14, permitting it to rest on a flat surface, suchas a countertop.

The block body 12 is provided with a plurality of slots 16 or otheropenings, which extend longitudinally therein from an inlet surface 18and perhaps extend completely therethrough. According to an embodimentof the present invention, seven slots 16 are shown, however, the numberand shape of the slots 16 or appropriately sized openings utilized mayvary as desired to store a plurality of knives or utensils or tools.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the knife holder 10can be formed from a variety of different materials which are approvedfor use in food industry and are anti-bacterial and sterilizable (suchas plastics, acrylic, ceramics, metal, an alloy or combination thereof).In an embodiment of the present invention, the knife holder 10 is madeof wood.

The plurality of slots 16 may be saw-cut into opposed sides of aninitial block and opposed veneer sides may be laminated to the initialblock to close the edges of the slots 16 and form composite block body12. In an embodiment of the present invention, seven saw-cut slots 16are illustrated. However, the number, shape and depth of the slots 16may vary depending upon the type of knife being stored in the slots 16.

The block body 12 further includes an inlet surface 18 and a lowersupport surface 26, utilized for supporting the knife holder 10 in aninclined position. The block body 12 has a rear surface 22 and a wedgesupport 24 having a slant surface 27.

The inlet surface 18 further includes a marking 28 (or insignia)adjacent to each of the plurality of slots 16 to identify the type ofknife or implement each of the plurality of slots 16 is designed tostore. As shown in FIGS. 1-2, the marking 28 is preferably positionedbelow each of the plurality of slots 16. According to an embodiment ofthe present invention, the markings 28 are positioned below each of theplurality of slots 16 and engraved on the surface 18 of the knife holder10.

The markings 28 are provided to identify and distinguish the knives whenthe blade is sheathed or stored and not in view. The markings 28 allowthe user to determine which knife or implement is located in each of theslots or openings 16 without pulling the knife out of the knife holder10. As a result of the markings 28, the knife only needs to be pulledout when needed and does not need to be pulled out to determine whetherit is the correct knife for the required task.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front elevation view of the knife holder 10 ofFIG. 1. In an embodiment of the present invention, the markings 28 mayinclude the length or type of blade associated with the knife. In analternate embodiment of the present invention, the markings 28 mayindicates the type of food to be cut with the knife. According to anembodiment of the present invention, the markings 28 may be made on thesurface 28 by engraving, however, other suitable processes may beemployed (such as etching or stamping or labeling).

FIG. 3 illustrates a top front view of the knife holder 10 storing aplurality of knives 30. When a knife 30 is positioned in an opening orslot 16, a marking 28 on the surface 18 below each slot identifies anddistinguishes between the various types of knives 30. According to anembodiment of the present invention, the markings 28 are preferablypositioned below each of the slots 16. In an alternate embodiment of thepresent invention, the marking 28 can be positioned in any location onthe surface 18 so as to identify the type of knife 30 each slot isdesigned to hold.

With reference to FIG. 1-3, the manner of using the knife holder 10 willbe described. The knife holder 10 is in an inclined angular position, aplurality of knives 30 may be positioned with their blades insertedwithin the slots 16, such that a top portion of each knife handle abutsagainst the upper inlet surface 18 to limit a downward position of theknife 30 with respect to each slot. Additionally, the markings 28 on thesurface 18 adjacent to each slot provides a means for readilyidentifying the type of knife 30 being stored in each of the slots 16.According to an embodiment of the present invention, the markings 28allow the user to determine which knife 30 is located in the slotwithout pulling the knife out of the block.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the knife holder 10is inclined and substantially rectangular in shape. However, the knifeholder 10 embodying the novel concept as discussed above can be of anygeometric shape so long as it is sized and shaped to store a pluralityof knives (such as curved, square, triangular etc.) Additionally, thenovel concept of including a marking (or insignia) adjacent to theplurality of slots 16 for identification purposes can be utilized invarious different forms and types of knife holders 10 that areavailable. As an exemplary embodiment, a few variations of knife holders10 are illustrated in FIGS. 4-9 embodying the novel concept of havingmarkings on the plurality of slots as discussed above.

Although preferred embodiments of the different kinds and shapes of aplurality of knife holders of the present invention have beenillustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoingDetailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is notlimited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerousrearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing fromthe spirit of the invention as set forth and defined by the followingclaims.

1. A knife holder comprising: a body portion including a plurality ofslots formed therein, each of said plurality of slots for receiving ablade portion of a knife; and an external marking for indicating a typeof said blade of said knife, wherein the marking is located on said bodyportion adjacent to each of said plurality of slots.
 2. The knife holderof claim 1, wherein said marking is located on said body such that whensaid blade is sheathed, said marking is visible.
 3. The knife holder ofclaim 1, wherein said knife holder is made from plastic.
 4. The knifeholder of claim 3, wherein said plastic is anti-bacterial andsterilizable.
 5. The knife holder of claim 1, wherein said knife holderis made from wood.
 6. The knife holder of claim 1, wherein said knifeholder has a geometric shape.
 7. The knife holder of claim 6, whereinsaid knife holder has a substantially rectangular shape.
 8. The knifeholder of claim 6, wherein said knife holder is substantially curved. 9.The knife holder of claim 1, wherein said marking is substantiallyengraved adjacent to each of said plurality of slots on said body. 10.The knife holder of claim 1, wherein said marking is stamped adjacent toeach of said plurality of slots on said body.
 11. The knife holder ofclaim 1, wherein said marking is etched adjacent to each of saidplurality of slots on said body.
 12. The knife holder of claim 1,wherein said marking indicates a length of said blade of said knife. 13.The knife holder of claim 1, wherein said marking indicates a type offood to be cut by said knife.
 14. The knife holder of claim 1, whereinsaid plurality of slots vary in shape and depth.
 15. A knife holdercomprising: a body portion including a plurality of slots formedtherein, each of said plurality of slots for receiving a blade portionof a knife; and an insignia indicating a type of said blade of saidknife, wherein said insignia is located on said body portion below eachof said plurality of slots.
 16. A tool holder comprising: a body portionincluding a plurality of openings formed therein, each of said pluralityof openings for receiving a working end of said tool; and an externalmarking for indicating a type of said tool, wherein said marking islocated on said body portion below each of said plurality of openings.